Reviews

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

Meet Super Creep

By MARK BAZER | November 14, 2007

1.5 Stars

VIDEO: Watch the trailer for Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

Willy Wonka was supposed to creep kids out, right? The title character of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, played with dull eccentricity by Dustin Hoffman, will likely have the same effect, though that probably wasn’t writer/director Zach Helm’s intent. Magorium, a centuries-old toy inventor/toy-store owner, is one of those characters who would be committed were he not in a G-rated film. That’s the opinion of an adult, however, and this is a movie based on the notion that anyone over 12 just doesn’t get it. Instead of heading to an asylum, Magorium decides to die — and leave the store to his sweet assistant, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). So the Emporium, as much a living organism as it is a store, throws a tantrum. Helm has his inspired moments (Mattel product placement notwithstanding), and it’s nice to see a kids’ film not created by committee. Still, this one’s a lot to sit through. With Jason Bateman as Henry, the Mutant. 93 minutes | Boston Common + Fenway + Fresh Pond + Circle/Chestnut Hill + Suburbs

Topics: Reviews , Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, More

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